Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday participated via video conferencing in the groundbreaking ceremony of the HCL-Foxconn Semiconductor Unit in Uttar Pradesh, describing the project as a major milestone in India’s journey towards technological self-reliance and global leadership in semiconductors.
The semiconductor facility, being set up by HCL Technologies and Foxconn, is part of India’s broader push to strengthen its domestic semiconductor ecosystem and reduce dependence on global supply chains. The ceremony comes shortly after the Global AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi.
Step Towards ‘Viksit Bharat’
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said India is moving at an accelerated pace towards the goal of becoming a developed nation. “India has no time to stop or pause. Since the beginning of 2026, we have further increased our pace,” he said, citing initiatives such as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, National Startup Day and the India Energy Summit.
He noted that following the AI Impact Summit, India is now advancing rapidly in semiconductor manufacturing, working simultaneously on software and hardware capabilities. “In the processing power needed to run the modern world, India is striving to stand alongside the top nations,” he said.
Reiterating his vision of the current decade as India’s “Techade,” PM Modi said investments in green energy, space technology, digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence would lay the foundation of India’s strength in the 21st century.
Strategic Importance of Semiconductors
Highlighting the importance of chips, the Prime Minister compared their value in the 21st century to that of oil in the 20th century. He recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of global chip supply chains, disrupting factories and economies worldwide.
“India decided to turn that crisis into an opportunity. We resolved to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem and become self-reliant in chip manufacturing,” he said.
Under the India Semiconductor Mission, the government has approved 10 semiconductor fabrication and packaging projects, with four units expected to begin production soon. He also referred to the second phase of the Semiconductor Mission announced in the Union Budget, aimed at building comprehensive support for fabrication, advanced packaging and research and development.
The Prime Minister highlighted the “Chips to Startup” programme, which aims to train over 85,000 industry-ready professionals in semiconductor design. He also announced plans to establish Rare Earth Corridors to ensure end-to-end support for semiconductor and battery manufacturing.
Boost for Uttar Pradesh
As a Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi expressed pride in the state’s transformation and said it is set to emerge as a major hub in India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
“Where a semiconductor unit is established, design houses, R&D centres and startup ecosystems follow,” he said, adding that the new factory would generate significant employment opportunities for youth.
He noted that electronics manufacturing in India has grown nearly six-fold in the past 11 years, while electronics exports have risen eight-fold. Mobile phone production has increased more than 28 times, with exports surging over 100 times. Uttar Pradesh now accounts for more than half of the country’s mobile phone manufacturing, he said.
The Prime Minister credited improved infrastructure and governance for the state’s progress, pointing to expressways, the Defence Corridor, the Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Jewar International Airport as key drivers of industrial growth. He also announced that he would inaugurate the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat train corridor to further enhance connectivity.
India as a Trusted Global Partner
PM Modi said the participation of global players such as Foxconn sends a strong message that democratic India is a trusted partner in global value chains.
“India’s growing role in global manufacturing increases the resilience of value chains. It is a win-win situation for India and the world,” he said.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister thanked HCL Technologies Chairperson Roshni Nadar and Foxconn Semiconductor Business Group President Bob Chen for their collaboration, expressing confidence that the new semiconductor unit would accelerate Uttar Pradesh’s development and strengthen India’s position as a centre of the global tech future.
